In a city with less number of places to indulge and lesser number of places to indulge in cue sports, the Billiards Café at Pallimukku, Pettah is a real breather. Already a popular hangout for many, BC was started in 2007. Run by Mr. Hency Jose in a three-storied building at Anjali Nagar in Pallimukku features various other facilities too.

In the GameZone at BC, you can play the Play Station 2 for Rs.50 per hour and X-Box 360 & Nintendo Wii at Rs.60 per hour. The constantly updated library of games contains all the popular titles. There is an internet browsing facility and a small refreshments counter too.

There are 2 Billiards tables and 3 Pool tables. The rent for a Pool table is Rs.60 per hour and for the Billiards table, it is Rs.70 per hour.

At least 50 to 75 people visit BC everyday. Mainly its youngsters, but senior enthusiasts and family crowds are also trying out this place. Mr. Hency, an enthusiast himself, plans to open a new branch within the City in the near future.

BC is a bit far off from the city centre, but it is an absolute icebreaker. It is open on all days from 10 am to 10 pm.  So don’t wait to book your tables and grab your cue sticks.



Kerala Tourism Development Corp is all set to welcome tourists at Ponmudi hill resort. The idyllic hill resort of Ponmudi has been developed as a premium getaway and will be opening on October 1. Ponmudi, a golden peak, is situated at an altitude of 1,100 metres  and 61 km from Trivandrum. It is a part of Western Ghats mountain range that runs parallel to the Arabian Sea. The resort has been refurbished at an investment of around Rs. 1 crore.

The conical green roof of the granite cottages and rooms, blends with the scenery and resembles small hillocks themselves. The resort has 9 cottages with 14 rooms, with the tariff ranging from Rs. 2000-4000 a night. Another 14 cottages will come up within six months. Also there is also a conference facility set up that can seat 100 people and a full-fledged restaurant as well. So next time, if you wish for a break from your daily chores, drop by and experience the calm and serene environment of Ponmudi hills in Ponmudi hill resort!

The cradle of IT industry of Kerala, The Technopark is heading onto its 20th year of existance. From a humble beginning as a Hardware Park in the early 1990s, Technopark has become synonymous with the IT Development of Kerala. Today the Park employs over 20,000 techies in those 180 odd companies nestled in over 300 acres of verdant green land.

The IT boom has witnessed the influx of some of the creme de la creme of IT world like Infosys, Allianz Cornhill and E&Y, and also the budding and booming of several home-grown giants viz UST Global, IBS, NeST, Suntec and so on.

An update on whats been happening in the Trivandrum IT scenario.. Entrez!

(All images and details courtesy the sites linked to just above each project image)

Technopark Phase I

Kazhakkuttam

Website

Leela Infopark (Opening Shortly)

In Technopark Phase I

Website

Infosys Campus (under construction)

In Technopark Phase II

UST Global Campus (under construction)

Technopark Phase II

NeST Campus (under construction)

In Technopark Phase I

Source

Asiatech IT Park

NH Bypass (under construction)

Source

TCS Campus (to begin construction shortly)

In Technopark Phase I

Source

Technopark Phase III (Approved)

NH Bypass

IBS Campus (Phase I opened, Phase II under construction)

In Technopark Phase I

TATA Elxi Campus (open)

Source

Innovation IT Park (Approved)

Source

And the mother of all these IT Parks, the Technocity, is on the drawing board. Technocity will rise 4km to the North of the existing Technopark Phase I and will spread over 500 acres. Here is the layout. Click the source for a detailed resolution image.

Also a host of big names of Indian IT Industry like Raheja, Mahindra, Patni et al have solid plans in situ for Technopark and Trivandrum. The clearing up of this recession smog may well trigger another deluge of investments into the IT Infrastructure of the city. Way to go, Trivandrum!

‘Parnasala’ of Karunakara Guru coming up at Santhigiri Ashram! Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Minister of State for External Affairs has described the ‘parnasala’ as a symbol of world peace, after launching a ‘global dissemination campaign’. He spoke on the message and ideology of Karunakara guru for the promotion of world peace.

The ashram has remarkably translated the spirituality into community action. Dr. Tharoor said, “The spirituality and self-realisation being propagated by the Ashram is also aimed at the welfare of the public. This is what makes the Ashram a very special place.” The ashram is aiming to focus on peace and environmental protection. The dedication of the ‘parnasala’ will be held on September 12, 2010.

The library at the Natural History Museum to be digitized!  A technical committee had been formed for this purpose and would take a final call on which books to be digitized. Around 5oo books have been identified for compulsory digitization as per the Museum officials.

The NH Museum contains around 3000 books and many of these are so brittle in condition that they cannot be used for reference. And so the city zoo administration is working on the plan to digitize these books.

Sri Chitira Art gallery housed along side Napier Museum was opened by His Highness Sree Chitira Thirunal the then ruling Maharajah of Travancore. The gallery displays various paintings by renowned painters including that of Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova and Nicholas Roerich.  The art gallery also displays paintings by V.S.Valiathan the renowned painter who wax considered the last among the painters to follow Ravi Varama style. The gallery also houses a good collection miniature paintings from across India including Rajasthan and other places,. Arts belonging the Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore period as are housed here. Collections from across the world also finds a presence in this gallery which is a must watch for lovers of art. Mural painting from the ancient to the recent past can also be found here.  The museum which is open from 10:00 am in the morning to 4: 45 pm in the evening can be a source of inspiration to any budding artist.

Located near the Padmanabha Swamy temple is the Meshan Mani. It was installed during the reign of Swathi Thirunalk in 1833. The unique feature of it is that the dial consists of the face of a man and two goats. At every hour the the man opens his mouth and the goat would hit the face of the man from both the sides. The clock is crafted by Kulathooran in Mahogany wood.

The Kuthira Malika Museum is situated near to the Padmanbhaswamy temple.  The malika was built by Swathi Thirunal Blarama Varam the king of Travancore at that time. The whole building is built in ancient Kerala style of architecture. The walls are adorned with unique wood carvings. The museum houses precious collections of the royal jewelery . The museum also houses paintings which belonged to the royal family.

The Padmanabha Swamy temple around which the city of Trivandrum is built is one of the important temples of Lord Vishnu who is the reiginig deity of the temple. Vishnu is in the form of Annathasayanam where is lying on Anantha the serpent. the idol is made of kattu sarkara yogam and is plated with gold. It is considered to be one its kind in India. Many mural paintings adorn its wall and so are many stone carvings. The Padmanabha Theertham is the main temple pond. Every year the temple processions are carried from the temple to the Sankhumugham beach . This day is declared as a local holiday. The gopuram is 100 foot in height and is seven tiered.  The temple festivals fall in the Malayalam month of Meenam and thualm . Natakalshala which is the ground floor under the temple is the place which used to stage the Kathakali performances during the festivals. The kattu dsarakara yogam is believed to be false as the idol is made of completely of gold except for the head and the chest. Other shrines for Gods like Narasimha ,Krishna,Ayappa,Ganesha and Hanuman are also present. Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple. Dress codes has to be strictly followed while performing darshans at the temple. Swathi Thirunal has composed many hymns in praise of Lord Padmanabha.

Trivandrum zoo dates back to the royal era of  Kerala. It was established in the year 1857 by the then ruling Maharaja of Travancore in order to attract more visitors as an addition to the Napier Museum. It is spread over an area of  55 square kilometers.  Located in the heart of the city it is one of the best maintained zoos across the country and well designed to host a wide range of animals from different geographical locations. The zoo has an air of naturality to it as it is situated amidst lush green settings, a small lake and animal collections exotic and native.  many rare and endangered species are housed in the zoo. The role of the zoo from a recreation point of view to  a conservation point of view was brought about about by the loss in habitat and destruction of wildlife in India.  the zoo now comes under the central Zoo Authority which is now responsible for providing funds and technical assistance. the animals housed include the lion tailed macquae, leopard,tiger, Asiatic lion and other animals from various geographical locations.  The zoo also houses a large collection of reptiles. There is a veterinary hospital attached to the museum to treat the animals. The zoo is open to the public on all days except Monday.